>Lee University’s Bateman team recently hosted a 5K Camo Run on behalf of the Student Veterans of America (SVA) in support of all local veterans. The Bateman team consists of senior public relations majors Ashley Akeson, Peyton Camera, Rebecca Coram, and Hannah Myers.

Jared Barton, veteran and Lee University Campus Security officer, sang the national anthem to kick off the event. Following Barton, State Representative Kevin Brooks spoke of his support for veterans in the Cleveland community and the importance of honoring them, including the student veterans who attend Lee University.

“I think we need to assist veterans in every way that we can,” said Brooks, “whether that is immediately hiring them or immediately getting them into education settings. They served our country and should go to the first of the line, whether that is the job employment line, education line, or social services line. I’m proud to represent a community that values our veterans, and this Camo Run is a fantastic way to salute and honor them.”

A total of 36 runners registered to participate in the 5K. Other attendees included volunteers from different service groups at Lee, including the Lee-bertarians and Epsilon Lambda Phi. Lasater’s Coffee & Tea and Firehouse Subs donated several gift cards for a raffle drawing that took place following the 5K.

The Camo Run was part of the Bateman Team’s campaign for SVA. The campaign’s goals included bringing awareness to the surrounding community about student veterans, as well as veterans in general. The campaign continued with the official launch of the SVA chapter at Lee on March 15, followed by Green Zone Training where faculty and staff had the opportunity to become familiar with the challenges faced by student veterans and ways to assist these students.

The Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) holds the Bateman Team Competition every year. It is a competition in which approximately 70 schools select four or five students to create a public relations campaign for a national client in one month. Top contenders then present to a panel of judges to compete for the top three prizes.

SVA is a national non-profit organization that aims to build support and community for student veterans. SVA has over 1,300 chapters on college campuses across the United States and abroad. Its mission is to provide student veterans with resources, support, and advocacy needed to succeed in higher education and following graduation.

For more information about Lee’s SVA chapter, contact Veterans Affairs Representative Nathan Nichols at [email protected].